Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series versus the host Tampa Bay Lightning.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday morning that Tkachuk’s availability will be determined after warmups.
The Panthers then activated Tkachuk from injured reserve about four hours before the game.
Tkachuk, 27, has been sidelined since sustaining a groin injury on Feb. 15 while playing for the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off. He returned to action five days later and logged 6:47 of ice time in the Americans’ 3-2 loss to Canada in the championship game.
He totaled 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 52 games this season for the Panthers.
A 2024 Stanley Cup champion with Florida, Tkachuk has totaled 636 points (240 goals, 396 assists) in 642 career games with the Calgary Flames (2016-22) and Panthers.
–Field Level Media
